is a crate/cage a good idea?

[clairewigan]

I have a 5 month old rotty german shepard pup who is very distructive, i send most of the time with him as im a housewife and he gets a good half hour walk a day. He is very clever and has picked up basic comands such as sit lie give me five and so on from 6 weeks old. Whenever i go out and leave him or even go upstairs he finds something to distruct such as a teatowel of the kitchen top or even my couch! I am getting him castrated in the next month will this calm this side of him down? but im thinking about buying a cage/crate to put him in when im out is this a good idea. Will he grow out of discructing things? any advise on this subject would be helpful thankyou.

[hokisteph5]

I have found crates to be invaluable, especially when you're dealing with puppies and can't supervise them at all times.

[TrinaJ]

Originally Posted by clairewigan

I have a 5 month old rotty german shepard pup who is very distructive, i send most of the time with him as im a housewife and he gets a good half hour walk a day. He is very clever and has picked up basic comands such as sit lie give me five and so on from 6 weeks old. Whenever i go out and leave him or even go upstairs he finds something to distruct such as a teatowel of the kitchen top or even my couch! I am getting him castrated in the next month will this calm this side of him down? but im thinking about buying a cage/crate to put him in when im out is this a good idea. Will he grow out of discructing things? any advise on this subject would be helpful thankyou.

Dogs seem to destroy things when they are bored. Is he with you during the day (ie inside with you when you are inside and outside when you are outside) I would personally crate train him. If you ever go away and he needs to stay with someone you know he's safe, he cant get out, and there is nothing he could eat that would hurt him. If he ever needs to go to the vet and needs to be crated he wont be worried. Take him for more walks during the day, one just isn't enough. You will find that if you stimulate his mind he will be less destructive. Do you train him at all either at home and at a training facility. 10 minutes a day of training at home will also help - teach him the basics sit, stay, recall, heel etc. Make it all fun for him too. Do you socialize him with other dogs and other people? Take him with you when you go out (also great if he's crate trained so you can put him in the car and travel safely).

Good luck and yes definately buy a crate, it will save your things and will also save your dog from eating something that could make him sick.

Trina

[Kittcatt57]

Crate is a great idea, wouldn't be without one when training a puppy or new dog. Get one immediately,. Your dog is bored and not enough exercise.

also, does he have enough toys and chew items. He probably bored and is looking for something to play with. Get him at least 6 toys all different, and if he starts to get something you don't want him to have, go and grab one of his toys, and go and say NO and take the item from him and immediately give him his own toy. This worked great with our dogs and they soon learned not to pick up items they aren't allowed to have. We have our grandaughters toy box in the living room and she has toys all over and our dogs do not use her toys at all, they know the difference.

good luck.

[AngelBunny]

Personally, I think crate training is a must, so I certainly advise you to crate train your young dog.

In your puppy you have two very intelligent, energetic breeds. You are going to have to work hard to make sure you wear out your dog, mentally and physically. A dog who's tried from mental and physical workouts is more interested in napping and resting than in being destructive. For the next few years you're going to have your work cut out for you--but what fun you'll have along the way!

[Pmajor73]

I would definitely crate any young dog. Especially any rott/shepard mix, these breeds need to work and will get into things if they are bored. The crate also provides security and safety to a dog almost like a nest that a mother would leave young pups in when she leaves to hunt for food. You need to take a leadership role in your dogs life and get him plenty of exercise probably close to 1 1/2 hrs of walk per day since you have that ability. I would also incorporate about 45 mins of intense play in his day, I know this may seem like alot but draining that energy is vital with the working breeds to limit destructive behavior. A 1/2 hr walk is an appetizer for a rott/shepard. Good Luck!

[SABELLESMOM]

Definately crate him when you ae gone or unable to supervise. Does he "get into things" while you are at home with him as well? If so, try tethering him to you. This way he has to be near enough for you to see what he's up to, and catch him preceeding or in the act.

Stimulate his active mind with some classes as well. He should easily become a much more confident and more often well behaving adolescent. You will never regret one moment of the time you spend in positive training your dog. You will learn so much! And your dog will give back more than you put in. Good Luck!

[Sam's Mom]

I too agree a crate is invaluable when training a puppy. It becomes their safe place. I know that sometimes people look at a crate as a prison. It is not. It is their own personal little condo. My dogs have all been crate trained. Our boy's crate is in the corner of the living room and he hangs out in their thru out the day to rest and get away.
Enjoy your puppy time...it goes by so fast!

[clairewigan]

Thankyou everyone for your advice im going to buy a crate asap for him and also buy him more toys to play with also it seems im not stimulating his mind enough so im taking him to a training class on sunday and see how this goes. I will let you all know how this goes.

[harleychik66]

I agree with everyone else. I couldn't imagine not crate training. It is safer for the dog and allows you the peace of mind to know your pup is safe. I have a 16 month old GSD mix and she has far more energy than any rottie I ever had at that age. Give your boy more exercise, start in obedience classes and remain consistent in his training. He will not be this way forever. And remember do not use the crate as a punishment, it should be his safe secure little den.

[Weily4Life]

Yes, crates are a great idea. If your dog is ever injured and needs confinement at home during recovery, restricting a dogs activity after an injury is much easier if they are crate trained.